oil level

[Onahi]

ok, im new, i bought my GS home yesterday.
in the dealer show room the oil level was right in the middle of the window. i went for my first ride (only 50 miles) and parked the bike in my garage.
this morning, i checked the oil level and it is down the bottom of the window. hhhhhmmmmmmm
what is up? has oil got stuck somewhere, or have i got CONSUMPTION PROB??

The bike is a 1150GS on a 2000. and done 17000 miles.
please advise.

i love my new bike!

 

[Keith Chapman]

Reading the oil level on the GS is a black art. Do a search on oil level and you should get enough reading matter to cure any insomnia.

one method for checking the level is....

Go for a good ride then kill the engine and park the bike in the side stand for 10 minutes.
put bike on centre stand and leave for a few minutes then check the level.
somewhere between the middle and top of the sight glass is OK.

Just find a method that works and do it the same way each time.

If you need too add any oil only add it in small amounts (100mil) at a time it registers slowly on the glass.

typical oil consumption appears to be about 200 / 250 mil every 500 miles until at least 20000 miles are up.

Dont be too alarmed by sudden loss of oil from the window, they all do that sir. unless there is an obvious leak

 

[Guzzler]

Checking the oil level is NOT a black art. It is very simple.

First thing, get out your owners manual and read the section on checking oil level. In summary it states.

1. get engine to operating temperature (3-5 bars on the RID). That is, go for a ride.
2. place bike on center stand on firm and level ground (preferably while engine is running, do a 10 count, then turn off engine)
3. wait 10-15 minutes (no more, no less, and use a watch/clock)
4. look at the sight glass window

If the level is below the mid point, add some oil (it doesn't take much). If the level is above the mid point (and below the red ring) leave it be.

The operating temperature, center stand, and the wait time is critical. All three have to be obtained to get accurate readings. Going outside the parameters will result in some interesting oil levels (trust me, I've been down this road, and contacted BMW about this issue.)

The best thing one can do, to really figure out what is going on, is to do your own oil change, at least one time.

Drain the oil, and remove the oil filter. Replace with a fresh filter, and don't forget to put back the drain plug.

Pour in a known measured amount of oil (example: 3.5 quarts or 3 liters). Then follow the above steps to check the oil level.

Do it several times in a single day (actually the same day you changed your oil), and put the bike on the center stand at the same spot (say where you generally park your bike) and for grins and giggles, try it with the front tire off the ground, and the front tire touching the ground. Look at the oil level make a mental note of the average level (you will notice it is rather consistant)

But the key factors are: Engine temp, center stand on level ground, 10-15 minute wait. If you go outside of these parameters, all bets are OFF!! You will get varying levels in the sight glass. That is, putting it on the side stand, then center stand, not waiting long enough, waiting to long (overnight), etc.

 

[finglonga]

As Guzzler said works for me. Letting the engine idle for abou 10 seconds before turning off seems to make a huge difference, don't know why.

If I put it on the side stand first I always find it reads higher.